Print system, control method therefor, information processing apparatus, control method therefor, program for implementing the control method, and storage medium storing the control program

ABSTRACT

A print system which are capable of inhibiting simultaneous use of the encrypted print and the box storage to thereby increase the security of print data. A host computer has an encryption function of encrypting print data, and issues a print job for the print data encrypted by the encryption function. A print server receives the issued print job, and has a decryption function of decrypting the encrypted print data of the received print job. A printer has a storage function of storing the print data decrypted by the decryption function, and outputs the stored print data. At least one of the host computer and the print server inhibits simultaneous use of the encryption function and the storage function.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/071,881 filed Mar. 3,2005, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2004-058986 filed Mar. 3, 2004, the entire disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a print system, a control methodtherefor, an information processing apparatus, control method therefore,a control program for implementing the control method, and a storagemedium storing the control program.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a conventional print system, there has been employed a techniquereferred to as “box storage”, in which a host computer is caused totransmit print data, and an output apparatus is caused to store printdata transmitted from the host computer in a storage device referred toas “a box” provided in the output apparatus for storage, and then tooutput the print data which is stored in the box. With the abovetechnique, the output apparatus can repeatedly output the print datastored in the box to thereby save the time required for printing thesame print data a plurality of times.

On the other hand, recently there have been demands for means forpreventing wiretapping of print data upon transmission from a hostcomputer to an output apparatus, means for protecting the print datainside the output apparatus, and means for preventing snooping ofprinted sheets output by the output apparatus by a third party. To meetsuch demands, there has been proposed a technique in which print data,which have been encrypted by a host computer using a password or an ICcard of a user, are accumulated in an output apparatus, and the userinstructs the output apparatus to finally output print data using thepassword or IC card used for the encryption (refer to Japanese Laid-OpenPatent Publication (Kokai) No. H09-134264, for example). However, it isunrealistic in terms of the cost to install various types of IC cardreaders on the output apparatus depending on the customer environments.Moreover, there is a strong need for using an existing output apparatusto carry out a highly secure print without purchasing a new outputapparatus.

To solve these problems, there has been proposed a technique referred toas “encrypted print”, in which a host computer encrypts print data, anda print server accumulates the encrypted print data, decrypts theencrypted print data using a password or an IC card, and transmits thedecrypted print data to an output apparatus. A transmission path betweenthe print server and the output apparatus can be selected from aprotected network, a Centronics cable, a USB cable, and the likeaccording to the customer's desire, and it is thus possible to easilyadapt to various customer environments and existing models.

However, with the technique of the encrypted print using the printserver, since the print server transmits the decrypted print data to theoutput apparatus, it is useless to accumulate the print data encryptedby the host computer using a password or IC card in the outputapparatus. As a result, if the print data designated to be subjected tothe encrypted print is designated to be stored by the box storage, theprint data is stored in a non-encrypted (plain text) state in the box.Consequently, a third party can operate the box to output the printdata, or to transmit the print data by electronic mail or facsimile.There is thus a desire for a means which inhibits simultaneous use ofthe encrypted print and the box storage to increase the security of theprint data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a print system, acontrol method therefor, and an information processing apparatus,control method therefore, which are capable of inhibiting simultaneoususe of the encrypted print and the box storage to thereby increase thesecurity of print data, and a control program for implementing thecontrol method, and a storage medium storing the control program.

To attain the above object, in a first aspect of the present invention,there is provided an print system comprising an information processingapparatus that has an encryption function of encrypting print data, andissues a print job for the print data encrypted by the encryptionfunction, an output processing apparatus that receives the issued printjob, and has a decryption function of decrypting the encrypted printdata of the received print job, and an output apparatus that has astorage function of storing the print data decrypted by the decryptionfunction, and outputs the stored print data, wherein at least one of theinformation processing apparatus and the output processing apparatuscomprises an inhibiting unit that inhibits simultaneous use of theencryption function and the storage function.

With the above configuration, since either the host computer or theoutput processing apparatus inhibits simultaneous use of the encryptionfunction and the storage function, it is possible to inhibitsimultaneous use of the encrypted print and the box storage to therebyincrease the security of the print data.

Preferably the information processing apparatus comprises a determiningunit that determines whether or not the output processing apparatus hasthe decryption function, and a disabling unit that disables the storagefunction when the output processing apparatus has the decryptionfunction.

Preferably the information processing apparatus comprises a designatingunit that designates use of the encryption function and use of thestorage function for the print job, and the output processing apparatuscomprises a first detecting unit that detects whether or not the use ofthe encryption function is designated for the print job, a seconddetecting unit that detects whether or not the use of the storagefunction is designated for the print job, and a discarding unit thatdiscards the print job when both the use of the encryption function andthe use of the storage function are designated for the print job.

Preferably the information processing apparatus comprises a designatingunit that permits a user to designate use of the encryption function oruse of the storage function.

More preferably the information processing apparatus comprises adetecting unit that detects whether or not the use of the encryptionfunction is designated, and a designation inhibiting unit that inhibitsthe designating unit from designating the use of the storage functionwhen the use of the encryption function is designated.

More preferably the information processing apparatus comprises adetecting unit that detects whether or not the use of the storagefunction is designated, and a designation inhibiting unit that inhibitsthe designating unit from designating the use of the encryption functionwhen the use of the storage function is designated.

More preferably the information processing apparatus comprises a firstdetecting unit that detects whether or not the use of the encryptionfunction is designated, a second detecting unit that detects whether ornot the use of the storage function is designated, and a notifying unitthat notifies a user that simultaneous designation of the use of theencryption function and the use of the storage function is not permittedwhen simultaneous use of the encryption function and the storagefunction is designated.

To attain the above object, in a second aspect of the present invention,there is provided a control method for a print system including aninformation processing apparatus that has an encryption function ofencrypting print data, and issues a print job for the print dataencrypted by the encryption function, an output processing apparatusthat receives the issued print job, and has a decryption function ofdecrypting the encrypted print data of the received print job, and anoutput apparatus that has a storage function of storing the print datadecrypted by the decryption function, and outputs the stored print data,comprising an inhibiting step of causing at least one of the informationprocessing apparatus and the output processing apparatus to inhibitsimultaneous use of the encryption function and the storage function.

Preferably the control method for a print system comprises a determiningstep of determining whether or not the output processing apparatus hasthe decryption function, and a disabling step of disabling the storagefunction when the output processing apparatus has the decryptionfunction.

Preferably the control method for a print system comprises a designatingstep of designating use of the encryption function and use of thestorage function for the print job, a first detecting step of detectingwhether or not the use of the encryption function is designated for theprint job, a second detecting step of detecting whether or not the useof the storage function is designated for the print job, and adiscarding step of discarding the print job when both the use of theencryption function and the use of the storage function are designatedfor the print job.

Preferably the control method for a print system comprises a designatingstep of permitting a user to designate the use of the encryptionfunction or the use of the storage function.

More preferably the control method for a print system comprises adetecting step of detecting whether or not the use of the encryptionfunction is designated, and a designation inhibiting step of inhibitingthe designating step from designating the use of the storage functionwhen the use of the encryption function is designated.

More preferably the control method for a print system comprises adetecting step of detecting whether or not the use of the storagefunction is designated, and a designation inhibiting step of inhibitingthe designating step from designating the use of the encryption functionwhen the use of the storage function is designated.

More preferably the control method for a print system comprises a firstdetecting step of detecting whether or not the use of the encryptionfunction is designated, a second detecting step of detecting whether ornot the use of the storage function is designated, and a notifying stepof notifying a user that simultaneous designation of the use of theencryption function and the use of the storage function is not permittedwhen simultaneous use of the encryption function and the storagefunction is designated.

To attain the above object, in a third aspect of the present invention,there is provided a control program for a print system including aninformation processing apparatus that has an encryption function ofencrypting print data, and issues a print job for the print dataencrypted by the encryption function, an output processing apparatusthat receives the issued print job, and has a decryption function ofdecrypting the encrypted print data of the received print job, and anoutput apparatus that has a storage function of storing the print datadecrypted by the decryption function, and outputs the stored print data,comprising an inhibiting module for causing at least one of theinformation processing apparatus and the output processing apparatus toinhibit simultaneous use of the encryption function and the storagefunction.

To attain the above object, in a fourth aspect of the present invention,there is provided a computer-readable storage medium storing the controlprogram as claimed in claim 15.

To attain the above object, in a fifth aspect of the present invention,there is provided an information processing apparatus that has anencryption function of encrypting print data, and issues a print job forthe print data encrypted by the encryption function, the informationprocessing apparatus being connected to an output processing apparatusthat receives the issued print job, and has a decryption function ofdecrypting the encrypted print data of the received print job, and anoutput apparatus that has a storage function of storing the print datadecrypted by the decryption function, and outputs the stored print data,the information processing apparatus comprising an inhibiting unit thatinhibits simultaneous use of the encryption function and the storagefunction.

Preferably the information processing apparatus comprises a determiningunit that determines whether or not the output processing apparatus hasthe decryption function, and a disabling unit that disables the storagefunction when the output processing apparatus has the decryptionfunction.

Preferably the information processing apparatus comprises a designatingunit that permits a user to designate use of the encryption function oruse of the storage function.

More preferably the information processing apparatus comprises adetecting unit that detects whether or not the use of the encryptionfunction is designated, and a designation inhibiting unit that inhibitsthe designating unit from designating the use of the storage functionwhen the use of the encryption function is designated.

More preferably the information processing apparatus comprises adetecting unit that detects whether or not the use of the storagefunction is designated, and a designation inhibiting unit that inhibitsthe designating unit from designating the use of the encryption functionwhen the use of the storage function is designated.

More preferably the information processing apparatus comprises a firstdetecting unit that detects whether or not the use of the encryptionfunction is designated, a second detecting unit that detects whether ornot the use of the storage function is designated, and a notifying unitthat notifies a user that simultaneous designation of the use of theencryption function and the use of the storage function is not permittedwhen simultaneous use of the encryption function and the storagefunction is designated.

To attain the above object, in a sixth aspect of the present invention,there is provided a control method for controlling an informationprocessing apparatus that has an encryption function of encrypting printdata, and issues a print job for the print data encrypted by theencryption function, the information processing apparatus beingconnected to an output processing apparatus that receives the issuedprint job, and has a decryption function of decrypting the encryptedprint data of the received print job, and an output apparatus that has astorage function of storing the print data decrypted by the decryptionfunction, and outputs the stored print data, the control methodcomprising an inhibiting step of inhibiting simultaneous use of theencryption function and the storage function.

Preferably the control method for an information processing apparatuscomprises a determining step of determining whether or not the outputprocessing apparatus has the decryption function, and a disabling stepof disabling the storage function when the output processing apparatushas the decryption function.

Preferably the control method for an information processing apparatuscomprises a designating step of permitting a user to designate use ofthe encryption function or use of the storage function.

More preferably the control method for an information processingapparatus comprises a detecting step of detecting whether or not the useof the encryption function is designated, and a designation inhibitingstep of inhibiting the designating step from designating the use of thestorage function when the use of the encryption function is designated.

More preferably the control method for an information processingapparatus comprises a detecting step of detecting whether or not the useof the storage function is designated, and a designation inhibiting stepof inhibiting the designating step from designating the use of theencryption function when the use of the storage function is designated.

More preferably the control method for an information processingapparatus comprises a first detecting step of detecting whether or notthe use of the encryption function is designated, a second detectingstep of detecting whether or not the use of the storage function isdesignated, and a notifying step of notifying a user that simultaneousdesignation of the use of the encryption function and the use of thestorage function is not permitted when simultaneous use of theencryption function and the storage function is designated.

To attain the above object, in a seventh aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided a control program for controlling aninformation processing apparatus that has an encryption function ofencrypting print data, and issues a print job for the print dataencrypted by the encryption function, the information processingapparatus being connected to an output processing apparatus thatreceives the issued print job, and has a decryption function ofdecrypting the encrypted print data of the received print job, and anoutput apparatus that has a storage function of storing the print datadecrypted by the decryption function, and outputs the stored print data,the control program comprising an inhibiting module for inhibitingsimultaneous use of the encryption function and the storage function.

To attain the above object, in a eighth aspect of the present invention,there is provided a computer-readable storage medium storing the controlprogram as claimed in claim 29.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the inventionwill become more apparent from the following detailed description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a printsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the internalconfiguration of a host computer appearing in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a print control process executed by thehost computer shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is a view showing an example of a user interface displayed in astep S309 in the case where a print server does not have a decryptionfunction;

FIG. 4B is a view showing another example of the user interfacedisplayed in the step S309 in the case where the print server has thedecryption function;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a first variation of the print controlprocess in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6A is a view showing an example of a user interface displayed in astep S502 in the case where an encryption function is selected;

FIG. 6 B is a view showing another example of the user interfacedisplayed in the step S502 in a case where a box storage function isselected;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a second variation of the print controlprocess in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of a message box displayed in a stepS706 in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a third variation of the print controlprocess in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference tothe drawings showing a preferred embodiment thereof.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a printsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the print system 100 is comprised of a host computer 101which activates a print client, as software, to encrypt print data usinga password or an IC card, and then, to issue a print job of theencrypted print data, print servers A102 and B104 which receive andaccumulate print jobs issued by the host computer 101, and then decryptthe print data of the print jobs using the password or the IC card, anda copying machine 103 which receives the print jobs output from theprint server A102, then carries out printing according to the printjobs, and which includes a storage device.

The host computer 101, the print server A102, the copying machine 103,and the print server B104 are connected with each other via an Ethernet(registered trademark) 107 which serves both as a network and atransmission path for the print data.

The print system 100 is further comprised of a printer 105 which isconnected to the print server B104 via a Centronics cable 106, receivesa print job output from the print server B104, and which includes astorage device.

Although the print server A102 and the copying machine 103 are connectedwith each other via the Ethernet (registered trademark) 107,alternatively the print server A102 and the copying machine 103 may beconnected via the Centronics cable 106 as is used for the connectionbetween the print server B104 and the printer 105. The Centronics cable106 may be replaced by another interface cable such as a USB (UniversalSerial Bus) cable.

The print client, which is activated by the host computer 101, has anencryption function of encrypting print data, and then transmitting theencrypted print data to the print server A102, and a box storagefunction of causing the storage device of the copying machine 103 tostore the encrypted print data. The print client can enable and disablethe encryption function and the box storage function independently.Moreover, the print client displays a user interface for a user to setwhether to use the encryption function or the box storage function.Further, the host computer 101 can issue a print job while designatingthe encryption function or the box storage function for executing theprint job.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the internalconfiguration of the host computer 101 in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the host computer 101 is comprised of a CPU (CentralProcessing Unit) 201 as a controller which controls the entire system, aRAM (Random Access Memory) 202 which is used as a work area for the CPU201 and temporality stores print data, a boot ROM 203 which stores aboot program of the system 100, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 204 whichstores system software and print data, an input device I/F (interface)205 which serves as an interface with input devices such as a keyboardand a mouse, and transmits information input via the input devices bythe user to the CPU 201, a display I/F 206 which serves as an interfacewith display devices such as a display monitor, and displays theinformation input by the user and information output by the CPU 201, adisplay I/F 206 which serves as an interface with display devices suchas a display monitor, and displays the information input by the user andinformation output by the CPU 201, a parallel port 207 which serves asan interface with the printer 105, a network I/F 208 which serves as aninterface with the Ethernet (registered trademark) 107, andinputs/outputs information, and a USB I/F 209 which serves as aninterface with USB devices such as an IC card reader, which is notshown, and carries out authentication, and these components areconnected with each other via a system bus 210.

The internal configurations of the print servers A102 and B104 in FIG. 1are the same as that of the host computer 101.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a print control process executed by thehost computer 101 shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the host computer 101 activates the print client(step S301). When activated, the print client issues a request to theprint server A102 for acquiring capability information indicatingwhether or not the print server A102 has the decryption function fordecrypting encrypted data (step S302). It is determined whether or notthe print server A102 has responded to the request for acquiring thecapability information within a predetermined time period (step S303).If the print server A102 has not responded to the request for acquiringthe capability information within the predetermined time period, theuser is notified of an abnormality by means of a display on the displaydevice via the display I/F 206 (step S311), and the process isterminated.

If it is determined period in the step S303 that the print server A102has responded to the request for acquiring the capability informationwithin the predetermined time period, it is then determined whether ornot the print server A102 has the decryption function of decryptingencrypted data based on the capability information contained in theresponse (step S304). If it is then determined that the print serverA102 has the decryption function, the encryption function of the printclient is enabled (step S305), the box storage function is disabledaccordingly (step S306), a user interface shown in FIG. 4, which will bedescribed later, is then displayed (step S309), and the process isterminated.

If it is determined in the step S304 that the print server A102 does nothave the decryption function, the encryption function of the printclient is disabled (step S307), the box storage function is enabledaccordingly (step S308), the processing of the step S309 et seq. isexecuted, and the process is then terminated.

FIG. 4A shows an example of the user interface displayed when it isdetermined in the step S304 in FIG. 3 that the print server A102 doesnot have the decryption function. On the displayed user interface, amenu for the box storage is shown, and a menu for the encrypted print isnot shown.

FIG. 4B shows another example of the user interface displayed when it isdetermined in the step S304 in FIG. 3 that the print server A102 has thedecryption function. On the displayed user interface, the menu for thebox storage is not shown, and the menu for the encrypted print is shown.

According to the print control process in FIG. 3, when it is determinedin the step S508 in FIG. 5 that the print server A102 has the decryptionfunction (“YES” to the step S304), the encryption function of the printclient is enabled (step S305), and the box storage function of the printclient is disabled (step S306) at the same time. As a result, it ispossible to prevent simultaneous use of the encrypted print and the boxstorage to thereby increase the security of the print data.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a first variation of the print controlprocess in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 5, the host computer 101 activates the print client(step S501). When activated, the print client sets the box storagefunction and the decryption function into an unselected state, anddisplays a user interface shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, described later,which is for setting the box storage function and the encryptionfunction (step S502). It is then determined whether or not the user haschanged the setting of the box storage function and/or the decryptionfunction (step S503). If the user has changed the setting of the boxstorage function and/or the decryption function, it is determinedwhether or not the box storage function has been selected (step S504).If the box storage function has been selected, a menu for the encryptionfunction is grayed out or displayed as a halftone image (step S505), andit is determined whether or not either an OK button or a Cancel buttonin FIG. 6 has been pressed (step S506). If neither the OK button nor theCancel button has been pressed, the processing of the step S503 et seq.is repeated. On the other hand, if the OK button or the Cancel buttonhas been pressed, a print job is issued based on the present setting, orthe change of the setting is canceled, and the process is terminated.

If it is determined that the box storage function has not been selectedin the step S504, the halftone display of the menu for the encryptionfunction is canceled (step S507), and it is then determined whether ornot the encryption function has been selected or not (step S508). If theencryption function has been selected, a menu for the box storagefunction is grayed out (step S509), the processing of the step S506 etseq. is executed, and the process is then terminated.

If it is determined that the encryption function has not been selectedin the step S508, the halftone display of the menu for the box storagefunction is canceled (step S510), and the processing of the step S506 etseq. is executed, and the process is then terminated.

FIG. 6A shows an example of the user interface displayed when it isdetermined in the step S508 in FIG. 5 that the encryption function hasbeen selected. On the displayed user interface, the menu for the boxstorage function is grayed out, and thus is not selectable.

FIG. 6B shows another example of the user interface displayed when it isdetermined in the step S508 in FIG. 5 that the box storage function hasbeen selected. On the displayed user interface, the menu for theencryption function is grayed out, and thus is not selectable.

According to the print control process in FIG. 5, when the box storagefunction has been selected (“YES” to the step S504), the menu for theencryption function is grayed out (step S505). On the other hand, whenthe encryption function has been selected (“YES” to the step S508), themenu for the box storage function is grayed out (step S509). It is thuspossible to inhibit simultaneous use of the encrypted print and the boxstorage to thereby increase the security of the print data.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a second variation of the print control processin FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 7, the host computer 101 activates the print client(step S701). When activated, the print client sets the box storagefunction and the decryption function into an unselected state, anddisplays a user interface for setting the box storage function and theencryption function (step S702). It is determined whether or not theuser has changed the setting of the box storage function and/or thedecryption function (step S703). If the user has changed the setting ofthe box storage function and/or the decryption function, it isdetermined whether or not the box storage function has been selected(step S704). If it is determined that the box storage function has beenselected, it is determined whether or not the encryption function hasbeen selected (step S705). If It is determined that the encryptionfunction has been selected, a massage box shown in FIG. 8, describedbelow, is displayed to notify the user that the encryption function andthe box storage function cannot be used at the same time (step S706),and the processing of the step S703 et seq. is repeated.

If it is determined in the step S704 that the box storage function hasnot been selected, or it is determined in the step S705 that theencryption function has not been selected, it is determined whether ornot an OK button or a Cancel button on a user interface, not shown, hasbeen pressed (step S707). If neither the OK button nor the Cancel buttonhas been pressed, the processing of the step S703 et seq. is repeated.If the OK button or the Cancel button has been pressed, a print job isissued based on the present setting, or the change of the setting iscanceled, and the process is terminated.

Although the massage box shown in FIG. 8 is displayed in the step S706and the processing in the step S703 et seq. is repeated, alternatively,one of the designation of the encryption function and the designation ofthe box storage function may be forcibly canceled in the step S706,followed by the process proceeding to the step S707. Particularly, ifthe designation of the box storage function is forcibly canceled, it ispossible to keep the security of the print data. Further, a massage boxmay be displayed to notify the user that one of the designation of theencryption function and the designation of the box storage function hasbeen forcibly canceled.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of the message box displayed in thestep S706.

Although the message box shown in FIG. 8 is used to notify the user thatthe encryption function and the box storage function cannot be used atthe same time, a display on the status line may be used for thenotification.

According to the print control process in FIG. 7, when the box storagefunction has been selected (“YES” to the step S704), and the encryptionfunction has been selected at the same time (“YES” to the step S705),the message box which notifies the user that the encryption function andthe box storage function cannot be used at the same time is displayed(step S706). It is thus possible to inhibit simultaneous use of theencrypted print and the box storage to thereby increase the security ofthe print data.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a third variation of the print control processin FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 9, the host computer 101 causes the print server A102to receive a print job (step S901), and acquire attributes of thereceived print job (step S902). It is determined whether or not the boxstorage is designated for the received print job, based on the acquiredattributes (step S903). If the box storage is designated for thereceived print job, it is determined whether or not the encryption isdesignated for the received print job (step S904). If the encryption isdesignated for the received print job, the print job is deleted as aninvalid print job (step S905), and this print job is recorded as anerror event in the history (step S906), and the process is terminated.

If it is determined in the step S903 that the box storage is notdesignated for the received print job, or it is determined in the stepS904 that the encryption is not designated for the received print job,the print job is executed (step S907), the print job is then recorded asa normal event in the history (step S908), and the process isterminated.

According to the print control process in FIG. 9, when the box storageis designated for the received print job (“YES” to the step S903), andthe encryption is designated for the received print job (“YES” to thestep S904) at the same time, the print job is deleted as an invalidprint job (step S905). It is thus possible to inhibit simultaneous useof the encrypted print and the box storage to thereby increase thesecurity of the print data.

It is to be understood that the object of the present invention may alsobe accomplished by supplying a system or an apparatus with a storagemedium in which a program code of software, which realizes the functionsof the above described embodiment is stored, and causing a computer (orCPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus to read out and execute theprogram code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage mediumrealizes the functions of the above described embodiment, and hence theprogram code and a storage medium in which the program code is storedconstitute the present invention.

Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include afloppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, a magnetic-opticaldisk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, a DVD-RW, aDVD+RW, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and a ROM.Alternatively, the program may be downloaded via a network.

Further, it is to be understood that the functions of the abovedescribed embodiment may be accomplished not only by executing a programcode read out by a computer, but also by causing an OS (operatingsystem) or the like which operates on the computer to perform a part orall of the actual operations based on instructions of the program code.

Further, it is to be understood that the functions of the abovedescribed embodiment may be accomplished by writing a program code readout from the storage medium into a memory provided in an expansion boardinserted into a computer or in an expansion unit connected to thecomputer and then causing a CPU or the like provided in the expansionboard or the expansion unit to perform a part or all of the actualoperations based on instructions of the program code.

The invention has been described with reference to certain preferredembodiments thereof. It will be understood, however, that modificationsand variations of the described preferred embodiments are still possiblewithin the scope of the appended claims. For example, certain functionsperformed by multiple elements may be combined into one element if sodesired. As just one illustration of such a possibility, the outputapparatus that receives the issued print job and provides the decryptionfunction may be combined with the actual output apparatus that storesand outputs the print data as one device.

1. A print system comprising: an information processing apparatus thathas an encryption function of encrypting print data, and issues a printjob for the print data encrypted by the encryption function; an outputprocessing apparatus that receives the issued print job, and has adecryption function of decrypting the encrypted print data of thereceived print job; and an output apparatus that has a storage functionof storing the print data not encrypted by the encryption function, andoutputs the stored print data, wherein the information processingapparatus comprises: a designating unit configured to permit a user todesignate use of the encryption function and use of the storage functionfor the print job; a first detecting unit that detects whether or notthe use of the encryption function for the print job is designated; asecond detecting unit that detects whether or not the use of the storagefunction for the print job is designated; and a notifying unit thatnotifies a user that designation of both the use of the encryptionfunction for the print job and the use of the storage function for theprint job is not permitted when the first detecting unit and the seconddetecting unit detect that both the use of the encryption function forthe print job and the use of the storage function for the print job aredesignated.
 2. A print system as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidinformation processing apparatus comprises: a determining unit thatdetermines whether or not said output processing apparatus has thedecryption function for the print job, and a disabling unit thatdisables the storage function when the determining unit determines thatsaid output processing apparatus has the decryption function for theprint job.
 3. A print system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outputprocessing apparatus comprises: a third detecting unit that detectswhether or not the use of the encryption function for the print job isdesignated; a fourth detecting unit that detects whether or not the useof the storage function for the print job is designated; and adiscarding unit that discards the print job when the third detectingunit and the fourth detecting unit detect that both the use of theencryption function for the print job and the use of the storagefunction for the print job are designated.
 4. A print system as claimedin claim 1, wherein said information processing apparatus comprises adesignation inhibiting unit that inhibits said designating unit fromdesignating the use of the storage function for the print job when thefirst detecting unit detects that the use of the encryption function forthe print job is designated.
 5. A print system as claimed in claim 1,wherein said information processing apparatus comprises a designationinhibiting unit that inhibits said designating unit from designating theuse of the encryption function for the print job when the seconddetecting unit detects that the use of the storage function for theprint job is designated.
 6. A print system as claimed in claim 1,wherein said information processing apparatus comprises a restrictingunit configured to restrict from issuing, from the informationprocessing apparatus to the output processing apparatus, the print jobwhen the first detecting unit and the second detecting unit detect thatboth the use of the encryption function for the print job and the use ofthe storage function for the print job are designated by the designatingunit.
 7. A control method comprising: a providing step of providing aprint system including an information processing apparatus that has anencryption function of encrypting print data, and issues a print job forthe print data encrypted by the encryption function, an outputprocessing apparatus that receives the issued print job, and has adecryption function of decrypting the encrypted print data of thereceived print job, and an output apparatus that has a storage functionof storing the print data not encrypted by the encryption function, andoutputs the stored print data; a designating step of permitting a userto designate use of the encryption function and use of the storagefunction for the print job; a first detecting step of detecting whetheror not the use of the encryption function for the print job isdesignated; a second detecting step of detecting whether or not the useof the storage function for the print job is designated; and a notifyingstep of notifying a user that designation of both the use of theencryption function for the print job and the use of the storagefunction for the print job is not permitted when the first detectingstep and the second detecting step detect that both the use of theencryption function for the print job and the use of the storagefunction for the print job are designated, wherein the informationprocessing apparatus executes the designating step, the first detectingstep, the second detecting step, and the notifying step.
 8. A controlmethod as claimed in claim 7, further comprising: a determining step ofdetermining whether or not the output processing apparatus has thedecryption function for the print job; and a disabling step of disablingthe storage function when the determining step determines that theoutput processing apparatus has the decryption function for the printjob, wherein the information processing apparatus executes thedetermining step and the disabling step.
 9. A control method as claimedin claim 7, further comprising: a third detecting step of detectingwhether or not the use of the encryption function for the print job isdesignated; a fourth detecting step of detecting whether or not the useof the storage function for the print job is designated; and adiscarding step of discarding the print job when the third detectingstep and the fourth detecting step detect that both the use of theencryption function for the print job and the use of the storagefunction for the print job are designated, wherein the output processingapparatus executes the third detecting step, the fourth detecting step,and the discarding step.
 10. A control method as claimed in claim 7,further comprising: a designation inhibiting step of inhibiting saiddesignating step from designating the use of the storage function whenthe first detecting step detects that the use of the encryption functionfor the print job is designated, wherein the information processingapparatus executes the designation inhibiting step.
 11. A control methodas claimed in claim 7, further comprising: a designation inhibiting stepof inhibiting said designating step from designating the use of theencryption function for the print job when the second detecting stepdetects that the use of the storage function for the print job isdesignated, wherein the information processing apparatus executes thedesignation inhibiting step.
 12. A control method as claimed in claim 7,further comprising: a restricting step of restricting from issuing, fromthe information processing apparatus to the output processing apparatus,the print job when the first detecting step and the second detectingstep detect that both the use of the encryption function for the printjob and the use of the storage function for the print job are designatedin the designating step, wherein the information processing apparatusexecutes the restricting step.
 13. A non-transitory computer-readablemedium storing a computer program for a print system including aninformation processing apparatus that has an encryption function ofencrypting print data, and issues a print job for the print dataencrypted by the encryption function, an output processing apparatusthat receives the issued print job, and has a decryption function ofdecrypting the encrypted print data of the received print job, and anoutput apparatus that has a storage function of storing the print datanot encrypted by the encrypting function, and outputs the stored printdata, the computer program comprising: a designating module forpermitting a user to designate use of the encryption function and use ofthe storage function for the print job; a first detecting module fordetecting whether or not the use of the encryption function for theprint job is designated; a second detecting module for detecting whetheror not the use of the storage function for the print job is designated;and a notifying module for notifying a user that designation of both theuse of the encryption function for the print job and the use of thestorage function for the print job is not permitted when it is detectedthat both the use of the encryption function for the print job and theuse of the storage function for the print job are designated.
 14. Aninformation processing apparatus that has an encryption function ofencrypting print data, and issues a print job for the print dataencrypted by the encryption function, the information processingapparatus being connected to an output processing apparatus thatreceives the issued print job, and has a decryption function ofdecrypting the encrypted print data of the received print job, and anoutput apparatus that has a storage function of storing the print datanot encrypted by the encrypting function, and outputs the stored printdata, the information processing apparatus comprising: a designatingunit configured to permit a user to designate use of the encryptionfunction and use of the storage function for the print job; a firstdetecting unit configured to detect whether or not the use of theencryption function for the print job is designated; a second detectingunit configured to detect whether or not the use of the storage functionfor the print job is designated; and a notifying unit that notifies auser that designation of both the use of the encryption function for theprint job and the use of the storage function for the print job is notpermitted when the first detecting unit and the second detecting unitdetect that both the use of the encryption function for the print joband the use of the storage function for the print job are designated.15. An information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 14, furthercomprising: a determining unit that determines whether or not the outputprocessing apparatus has the decryption function for the print job; anda disabling unit that disables the storage function when the determiningunit determines that the output processing apparatus has the decryptionfunction for the print job.
 16. An information processing apparatus asclaimed in claim 14, further comprising a designation inhibiting unitthat inhibits said designating unit from designating the use of thestorage function for the print job when the first detecting unit detectsthat the use of the encryption function for the print job is designated.17. An information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 14, furthercomprising a designation inhibiting unit that inhibits said designatingunit from designating the use of the encryption function for the printjob when the second detecting unit detects that the use of the storagefunction for the print job is designated.
 18. An information processingapparatus as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a notifying unitthat notifies a user that designation of both the use of the encryptionfunction for the print job and the use of the storage function for theprint job is not permitted when the first detecting unit and the seconddetecting unit detect that both the use of the encryption function forthe print job and the use of the storage function for the print job aredesignated.
 19. A control method comprising: a providing step ofproviding an information processing apparatus that has an encryptionfunction of encrypting print data, and issues a print job for the printdata encrypted by the encryption function, the information processingapparatus being connected to an output processing apparatus thatreceives the issued print job, and has a decryption function ofdecrypting the encrypted print data of the received print job, and anoutput apparatus that has a storage function of storing the print datanot encrypted by the encrypted function, and outputs the stored printdata; a designating step of permitting a user to designate use of theencryption function and use of the storage function for the print job; afirst detecting step of detecting whether or not the use of theencryption function for the print job is designated; a second detectingstep of detecting whether or not the use of the storage function for theprint job is designated; and a notifying step of notifying a user thatdesignation of both the use of the encryption function for the print joband the use of the storage function for the print job is not permittedwhen the first detecting step and the second detecting step detects thatboth the use of the encryption function for the print job and the use ofthe storage function for the print job are designated, wherein theinformation processing apparatus executes the designating step, thefirst detecting step, the second detecting step, and the restrictionstep.
 20. A control method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising: adetermining step of determining whether or not the output processingapparatus has the decryption function; and a disabling step of disablingthe storage function when the determining step determines that theoutput processing apparatus has the decryption function, wherein theinformation processing apparatus executes the determining step and thedisabling step.
 21. A control method as claimed in claim 19, furthercomprising: a designation inhibiting step of inhibiting said designatingstep from designating the use of the storage function for the print jobwhen the first detecting step detects that the use of the encryptionfunction for the print job is designated, wherein the informationprocessing apparatus executes the designation inhibiting step.
 22. Acontrol method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising: a designationinhibiting step of inhibiting said designating step from designating theuse of the encryption function for the print job when the seconddetecting step detects that the use of the storage function for theprint job is designated, wherein the information processing apparatusexecutes the designation inhibiting step.
 23. A control method asclaimed in claim 19, further comprising: a restricting step ofrestricting from issuing, from the information processing apparatus tothe output processing apparatus, the print job when the first detectingstep and the second detecting step that detects both the use of theencryption function for the print job and the use of the storagefunction for the print job are designated in the designating step,wherein the information processing apparatus executes the restrictingstep.
 24. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computerprogram for controlling an information processing apparatus that has anencryption function of encrypting print data, and issues a print job forthe print data encrypted by the encryption function, the informationprocessing apparatus being connected to an output processing apparatusthat receives the issued print job, and has a decryption function ofdecrypting the encrypted print data of the received print job, and anoutput apparatus that has a storage function of storing the print datanot encrypted by the encrypting function, and outputs the stored printdata, the computer program comprising: a designating module configuredto permit a user to designate use of the encryption function and use ofthe storage function for the print job; a first detecting moduleconfigured to detect whether or not the use of the encryption functionfor the print job is designated; a second detecting module configured todetect whether or not the use of the storage function for the print jobis designated; and a notifying module configured to notify a user thatdesignation of both the use of the encryption function for the print joband the use of the storage function for the print job is not permittedwhen it is detected that both the use of the encryption function for theprint job and the use of the storage function for the print job aredesignated.